How far is Aspen, CO from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance from Aspen, CO to Aurora, CO is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112.3 miles (180.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 40m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Summit County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aspen and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aspen and Aurora.
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1
Start on the route
73 m · 20 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Main Street
1095 ft · 38 sec · East Main Street
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3
Continue on South Original Street
753 ft · 31 sec · South Original Street
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4
Turn left onto East Cooper Avenue
42.9 mi · 1 hr 39 min · East Cooper Avenue
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5
At the end of the road, turn left
13.9 mi · 18 min
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6
Turn left onto McWethy Drive
2541 ft · 52 sec · McWethy Drive
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7
Turn right onto West 8th Street
55 m · 4 sec · West 8th Street
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8
Continue on West 6th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West 6th Street
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Harrison Avenue
106 m · 16 sec · Harrison Avenue
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10
Turn right onto East 7th Street
646 ft · 23 sec · East 7th Street
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11
Turn left onto Poplar Street
589 ft · 27 sec · Poplar Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 9th Street
11 m · 2 sec · East 9th Street
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13
Turn right onto Poplar Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Poplar Street
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14
Continue straight
22.1 mi · 28 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East
1738 ft · 33 sec
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16
Merge slight left
73.4 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
5.3 mi · 7 min
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18
Keep slight right
8 mi · 11 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
1.5 km · 1 min
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20
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
1772 ft · 40 sec
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22
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1504 ft · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street
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24
Turn right onto North Zion Street
155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street
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25
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aspen and Aurora.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 70 East
Merge slight left
73.4 mi · 01h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Aspen and Sunny near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aspen to Aurora?
The road trip is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km) and usually takes 03h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Frisco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Aspen and 86.4 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112.3 miles (180.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:40 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.56 one way or $45.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms around Aspen and Sunny near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Frisco
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Frisco.
Frisco, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aspen and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 112.26 mi (180.66 km).
#1 Aspen
Town in Pitkin County, Colorado, USA
| Population | 7,657 |
| Coordinates | 39.1911000, -106.8175400 |
| Altitude | 2405 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Aurora
The third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 387,377 |
| Coordinates | 39.7294300, -104.8319200 |
| Altitude | 1648 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vaughn Street (-104.831848, 39.729486)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $22.56 | $45.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $24.91 | $49.82 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $26.79 | $53.57 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $28.90 | $57.79 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Colorado · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.